Summary:
The Linden Public School District in New Jersey serves 11 schools, including 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district faces significant challenges, with most schools performing well below the state average on standardized tests and high rates of chronic absenteeism across the board.
A few schools stand out in the district, including Number 9 Elementary School, which has the highest performance on standardized tests, with over 40% proficiency in 3rd grade ELA and Math, as well as the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 14.9%. Number 10 Elementary School also performs well, with over 40% proficiency in 3rd grade ELA and Math, and a low free/reduced lunch rate of 50%. In contrast, the majority of schools in the district struggle, with proficiency rates well below the state average.
The data reveals a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with the schools with the highest free/reduced lunch rates tending to have the lowest test scores. Additionally, the district's high school, Linden High School, has seen its statewide ranking decline over the past three years, from 326th out of 422 high schools in 2022-2023 to 329th out of 434 high schools in 2024-2025. The district will need to address these challenges, such as tackling chronic absenteeism and targeting resources to the lowest-performing schools, in order to improve educational outcomes for its students.
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